Ian Rapoport, one of the most prominent NFL insiders in the industry, could be a free agent in May following ESPN’s merger with NFL Network.
Being a legitimate insider in any sport can turn an average journalist/reporter into a media star. Sports fans have seen that for years, with many on-air talents working for ESPN. However, over the last two decades, reporters outside ESPN’s giant umbrella have developed names for themselves in the insider game.
One of the most notable is NFL Network veteran Ian Rapoport. He has become a must-follow for NFL fans on social media and currently has over five million followers on X. Along with Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo, NFL Network cultivated a cabal of insiders that rivaled ESPN.
However, last year, the NFL and ESPN agreed on a deal that would see the league own a part of the media monster and ESPN take over the network they own. That means that the insiders from both sides would soon merge into a super team of reporters with the most sources. However, Rapoport may not be a part of that group.
In a new interview with The Athletic, Rapoport revealed, “I have no idea if it is going to happen” when asked about ESPN giving him a new contract and adding him to their crew of insiders that also features, arguably, the biggest in the business, Adam Schefter.
Which networks/streamers could target Ian Rapoport in free agency?
Rapoport’s current contract ends in May, and he stands to get a big raise in his next deal. The question is, will ESPN be willing to give him that pay increase? Since they are also adding Garafolo and Pelissero, they might feel they have more than enough well-paid insiders, especially with Schefter leading the way.
If they are smart, they will give him a new lucrative deal and have almost all of the top NFL insiders in the sport under their umbrella. However, if they don’t, other networks and streamers would love to have Ian Rapoport as a part of their NFL coverage.
You can bet that Amazon and its deep pockets will target Rapoport for their Thursday Night Football and Black Friday coverage. Netflix could also try to lure him with the idea of a live podcast since they have made big inroads into live sports coverage, including NFL games on Christmas Day.
Furthermore, NBC/Peacock, FOX, and CBS would all be interested in signing Rapoport if ESPN lets him walk in the spring.
